Rotary well-drilling machine



Nov. 25, 1930. J. n. sPALDlNG ROTARYWELL DRILL'INGv MACHINE 3.ShetsfSheet 1 Filed Feb. 18, 1926 Nov. 25, 1930. .1. D. SPALDING l uROTARY WELL DRI'LLING MACHINE s snets-sheet 2 Filed Feb. 18, 1925 Nov.25,1930. v l.1. D. SPALDING 1,782,769

ROTARY WELL DRILLING MACHINE Filed-Feb. `12s, 1926 v s sheets-sheet 5Patented Novi. 25, 1930 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE JOHN D. SPALDING, OFGRAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T THE NATIONALSUPPLY COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ROTARYWELL-DRILLING MACHINE Application led February 18, 1926. Serial No.89,058.

ygreat depths, for example, 7,000 feet or over.

This work requires a rotary machine to be designed so as to supportgreat weights during the drilling= operations. Many fields in which oilhas been found do not require that the wells be drilled to such extremedepths nor that the well holes be of such large diameters since the oilis found in these fields in relatively shallow sands or reservoirs.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a rotary welldrilling machine particularly adapted` and designed for use in suchfields where the', drilling to great depths is n-ot required and inwhich casings of relatively small diameter are used, it being.essentialin such rotary machines that they be of compact construction,self-contained and easily removed from location to location and requirea minimum of labor in setting up or taking down. v

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine in which l means are provided by which the spider may beselectively engaged with the rotary table or the rot'ary tablebasesolely by vertical movement of the spider and rotation thereofwithout the use of dogs, latches or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine wit-l1 independent sets of pockets in the rotary table andnon-rotatable base respectively and a spider having a single set oflugsada ted to beselectively engaged with either o the sets of pockets inorder to provide a univery sal make and break rotary.

Another object of this inventionV is to provide a self-contained rotarywell drilling machine with a unitary base= carrying both the table anddriving mechanism, the table being driven by'a, unit pinion shaftassembly embodying a sturdy one piece bearing housing equipped withheavy duty roller bearings and adjustable to compensate for wear. Thisconstruction results ina very compact,

sturdy, self-contained machine providing in connection with the pinionshaft assembly of an outboard sprocket, thus permitting easy alignmentwith the rotary draw-Works.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotar well. drillino`machine of the character a ove described in which the sprocket may beeasily removed from the shaft.

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine in which a lubricating reservoir is provided for lubricatingfrom the said reservoir by the aid of centrifugal force the tableball-bearings and hold-down bracket bearings when the machine is inoperation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine in which the cylindrical opening through the rotary table isprovided with slots to permit the use of fish-tailed bits or the like oflarger size than the diameter of the central cylindrical opening throughthe table.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine in which locking means are provided for locking the spider tothe table to prevent vertical movement of the spider relative to thetable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rotary wellv drillingmachine in which the rotary table may be selectively locked to the baseto prevent movement of the table relative to the base.

Another'object of this invention is to provide a rotary well drillingmachine in which a spider is provided that may be employed to driveeither the drill stem bushing directly or through the. medium of splittable busliin s.V I

gOther objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent fromthe following Figure 1 is a top plan view of a rotary machine embodyingthis invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof mainly in vertical mid-section andtaken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 Figure 3 is an enlargedtop plan view of a rotary table embodied in this invention, illustratingthe vertically movable spider partially in horizontal section andillustrating a split bushing supported within the spider and lockedthereto.

Figure 4 is a similar fragmental top plan view of a rotary tableembodied in this invention, illustrating the same as within the spiderin position with the split bushing removed and illustrating the relativepositions of the sets of pockets provided in the rotary table and rotarytable base and the set of lugs formed on the spider engaged within thesaid pockets provided in the rotary table.

Figure 5 is a similar fragmental top plan view of the rotary tableembodied in this invention, illustrating the spider as in position tomove vertically so that its lugs will pass between the spaces formedbetween the pockets formed in the central bore of the rotary table.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic top plan View of a portion of the table base,illustrating the slots formed in the table base at diametrically opposedpoints of the bore through the table base so as to permit the use oflishtailed bits and the like of a diameter greater than the diameter ofthe said bore.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmental side elevation mainly in verticalsection,' illustrating the lubricating means provided for lubricatingthe hold-down bearings from a reservoir by the aid of the centrifugalforce exerted on the oil in. the reservoir and also illustrating thelatch means provided to prevent rotary movement of the table relative tothe base.

In the preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, A illustrates a rotary base unit which base unitsu ports a rotary table unit B, a bushing unit (l), either through thetable unit B or dlrectly, and supports also a driving um't D whichdrives the rotary `table unit B. In the rotary table unit B alubricating unit E is provided.

The rotary table base unit A is preferably of the following constructionand comprises a table base l which is usually supported on and securedto skids 2. The base 1 is a casting having an upwardly extending annularportion 3. The portion 3 provides a bearing.

race in which annular race rings 4 are mounted. The upwardly extendingportion 3 of the base 1 also provides an annular guide shoulder 5 whichguides the rotary table unit B. A bore 6 is formed through the base unit1 and slots 7 are formed at diametrically opposed points in the bore 6so as to permit the use of fish-tailed bits or the likewhich are of lgreater width than the Adiameter of the bore 6. Secured to the base 1 isa hold-down bracket 8 which provides a hold-down bracket bearing 9. Aset of diametrically opposed spaced pockets 10 are formed in the base 1and arer adapted to receive correspondingly spaced and diametricallyopposed lugs 11 which are formed on the spider 12 of the bushing unit C.

vThe rotary table unit B is referably of the following construction and)comprises a gear table 13 having an annular drive gear 14 formed on itsunder surface 15 and which annular driving gear 14 is adapted to meshwith a driving pinion gear 16 of the driving unit D. A central bore 17is formed through the rotary table unit B directly over the bore 6 ofthe rotary base unit A. A down'- wardly extending` annular portion 18 ofthe gear table 13 provides a bearing race in which' annular race rings19 are positioned, the annular race rings 19 being complementary to the.annular race rings 4 and ball bearings 20 are mounted between the twosets of annular race rings. A cylindrical extension 21 extends below theportion 18 and co-operates with the annular shoulder 5 of the table base1 toguide the rotation of the table 13. An upwardly extending rim 22 isformed on the table base 1 and fits within an annular recess 23 formedin a downwardly extending rim 24 formed on the table 13 to provide anoil and mud seal. An annular liange is formed on the gear table 13 whichprovides a shoulder 25 which co-operates with the hold-down bracketbearing 9. vFormed in the bore 17 of the gear table 13 are a set ofdiametrically opposed and spaced pockets 26. The pockets 26 are formedin inwardly projecting segi mental lugs 27 which project into the bore17 of-the gear table 13. The said lugs 27 are spaced apart so as toprovide passages 28 between the said lugs 27 so that the lugs 11 formedon the spider 12 may pass through vthe passages 28 to be engaged in thepockets 10 of the table base 1. The lugs 11 formed on the spider 12 arealso adapted to be engaged with the pockets 26 and the lugs 11 areengaged either in the pockets 26 of the gear table 13 or in the pockets10 of the base 1 solely by vertical Y,movement of the spider 12 androtation thereof to align the lugs 11 with the respective pockets.

The bushing unit C is preferably of the following construction andcomprises the spider 12 which is a cylindrical casting or forging havinga,.central bore 29 formed therethrough and having a set of lugs 11formed at diametrically opposed and spaced points around its peripheryat or near the lower end thereof., The cylindrical casting or forgingforming the spider 12 has an inner bore 29. The upper portion of thebore v recess 36a and a shoulder 36". The lower portion of the bore istapered as illustrated at to receivetapered split table bushings 31. Thetapered split table bushings 31 are tapered on their inner bore asillustrated at 32, adapted to receive drill stem split bushings 33. Thetapered table bushing 3l has ears 31u complementar to the `recess 36a'ofthe spider 12. The sp it drill stem bushing 33 is provided with anannular shoulder 34 which is adapted to extend above the upper endsurface of the bushing 31. This shoulder is' provided with ears 34acomplementary to the recess 36a of the spider 12. By this means thelsplit drill stem bushing 33 is driven directly from the spider 12 andnot through the agency of the split table bushing as is usually thecase.

The drive unit D is preferably of the following construction andcomprises a sleeve 37 having outwardly extending clamp portions 38 whichare secured to the table base 1 bypany suitable means, such as the bolts39.

` The sleeve '37 provides a .housing forthe pinion shaft bearings 40upon which the pinion shaft 41 is mounted. The pinion shaft 41 is keyedto the pinion `gear 16. The bearings 40 are roller bearings and aremaintained against endwise motion by means of the bearing sleeve 42 andthe end-plate 43 at onev end of the sleeve 37 and by means of washers44-at the opposite end of the sleeve 37, the washers 44 being interposedbetween the face of the pinion gear 16 and theshoulder formed by the endof the sleeve 37. The drive sprocket 45 is keyed to the pinion drive .lshaft 41 and is securely held in position by means of a cap 46 which issecured to the end 'of the pinion shaft 41 by means of a cap-screw .47.A bearing bushing 48 is interposed between the end-plate 43 of thelsleeve 37 and the inner face of the `drive sprocket 45. By thisassembly, the entire drive unit D may be disassembled with ease when itis desired to replace'or repack the bearings 40 or when it isdesired toreplace or repair the pinion gear 16 and it is a simple matter to removethe drive sprocket -45 when the same becomes worn and it is udesired toreplace the same. Mounted within bores formed in the sleeve 37 aregrease tittings 49,which arevpreferably of the ball check valve type sothat a grease gun may be fitted thereto and the bearings greased withease. The fittings 49 are protected from mud by the caps 50screw-threaded into the.

sleeve 37. In order to take up the wear on v the thrust-bearing washers44, shims 71 are provided between the end-plate 43 andthe end face ofthe sleeve 37. The removal of a portion of these shims 71 permits the`moving The lubricating unit E is preferably of the following.construction and comprises abricant from the reservoir passes outward tolubricate the balls 20 and the hold-down bearings 9. Laterally extendingVports 55 being provided in the tube 53 at a position near l the lowerend of the reservoir 5l, which ports communicate with a port 57 formedin the gear table 13 and through the'lowen portion of the base of thetube 53 to a passway 72 formed in the race in which the annular racerings 19 are mounted. Waste 0r like material may be mounted in thereservoir 51 and the same saturated with lubricating oil, grease or thelike. On rotation of the gear table 13, centrifugal force will tend tothrow the lubricant from the reservoir 51 through the ports 55 and boreof the tube 53 and through the port 57 and passage 72 to the respectivebearing. The balls 20 will be initially lubricated or flooded directlyfrom the reservoir 51 through the port 57.

In order to prevent relative movement betweenv the table base 1 and thegear table 13,

.upon which an eccentric latch member 63 is mounted lso that when thestud 62 is rotated, the eccentric latch member 63 will' proj ect througha recess formed in the inner face of the gear table 13 and into a recessformed in the periphery, of the spider 12. The stud 62l is'slidablethrough the latch member 63i and in order to prevent withdrawal of thestud 62, a pin 64 is mountedv at the lower end thereof.

vThe stud 62 is grooved throughout its length and the bore of the latchmember 63 has an inwardll projecting key which fitsV into the grooveormed in the s tud 62. A head 65 is formed in the upper end of the stud62 and is provided with an indicating arrow 65Il which indicates whetherthe latch 60- isin the latched or open position. The head 65 fits withinVan enlarged recess formed in the upper surface of the gear table 13 sothat its top face will be practically. flush with the face of the geartable 13 soy that on rotation of the gear table 13, the head 65-will notbe apt to `become engaged with any tools or the feet or the like of theoperator or operators of the rotary machine.

The drill stem bushing 33 is provided with a laterally extending groove66 in which a bar latch member 67 is mounted and which bar latch member67 has an upwardly extending pin 68 secured thereto which passes throughan elongated slot 69 formed in the upper face of the drill stem bushing33. A recess 70 is formed in the spider 12 in position to receive theend of the bar latch member 67. On rotation of the drill stem bushing33, the bar latch member 67 in the groove 66 is thrown outward bycentrifugal force so that the same will be engaged within the recess 70formed in the spider 12.

` From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have provided a rotaryWell drilling machine of the universal type that is a small unitconstruction and may be easily installed in position Within a wellderrick and so installed that the drive sprocket 45 may he easilyaligned with the rotary draw-works (not shown) and which rotary welldrilling machine is of such construction that the same may easily beremoved from position within the Well derrick and loaded upon a truck orother vehicle and conveyed to any point of use and that my universalrotary Well drilling machine need not be of heavy or expensiveconstruction but that Ithe same is eX-' tremely simple and well adaptedto perform the functions for which it is constructed.

, Having fully described a preferred embodiment of this invention, it isto be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact detailsherein set forth which Imay obviously be varied without departing fromthe uspirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A rotary well drilling machine comprising a table base, arotary table mounted on the base and provided With a central bore, aspider positioned in the bore and having a single set of lugs, said lugsbeing adapted to be engaged either with the table orwith the base, theengaging of the lugs with the base or table bein accomplished solely bymovement of the spi er. 2. A rotary Well drilling machine comprising atable base, a rotary table mounted on the base and providedwith acentral bore, a set of diametrically opposed pockets formed in the saidbore, a set of diametrically opposed pockets formed in the said base, aspier mounted in the bore and having a set of diametrically opposed lugsformed on the spider and adapted to be engaged with either the pocketsin the table or the base the engaging ofthe said lugs with the table orthe base being accomplished solely by movement of the said spider.

3. A rotary well drilling machine com rising a table base, a rotarytable mounte on the base and having a central bore, a plurality ofspaced pockets formed in the bore of the said table, a plurality ofequally spaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mounted in the saidbore and having a plurality of lugs spaced lon its periphery so as tocorrespond with the spacing of the said pockets,-

the said lugs being adapted to be engaged with either the pockets in thetable or base, said engagement of the lugs with either of said table orbase pockets being accomplished solely by movement of the said spider.

4. A rotary well drilling machine comprising a table base, a rotarytable mounted on the base and having a central bore, a plurality ofspaced pockets formedl in the bore of the said table spaced to providepassa es, a lurality of equally spaced pockets orme in the base, aspider mounted in the said bore and having a plurality of lugs spaced onits periphery so as to correspond with the space being accomplishedsolely by movement of said spider, and the said lugs being adapted topass through the passage formed between the pockets formed in the boreof the said table. y

5. A rotary well drilling machine comprising a table base, a rotarytable mounted on the base and having a central bore, a plurality ofspaced segmental lugs formed in the bore of said table and providingspaced pockets in the bore of the said table, a plurality of equallyspaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mounted in the said bore andhaving a plurality of lugs spaced on its periphery so as to correspondwith the spacing of the said pockets, the said lugsbeing adapted to beengaged with either the pockets in the table or the base, saidengagement of the lugs with either of said table or base pockets beingaccomplished solely by vertical movement and rotation of the saidspider.

6.' A rotary well drilling machine comprising a table base, a rotarytable mounted on the base and having a central bore, a plurality ofspaced-pockets formed in the said bore near the lower end thereof, aplurality of equally spaced pockets formed in the base, a spider mountedin the said bore and having a plurality of 'lugs spaced on its peripherynear the lower end thereof so as to correspond with the spacing of thesaid pockets in the bore of the table, the said lugs being adapted to beengaged with either the pockets in the table or the base, saidengagement of the lugs with either said table or base pockets beingaccomplished. solely by vertical movement and rotation of the saidspider.

7. In a rotary Well drilling machine, the combination of a base, arotary table supported on bearings on the base, a hold-down bracketbearing between the base and the table, a lubricating reservoir formedin the table, ports formed inthe table and extending from the reservoirto said bearings and adapt ed to conve the lubricant from the reservoirto the said earings with the aid of centriful gal force when the .said'table is rotated and means for rotating said table. l

8. In arotary well drilling machine, the combination of a. base, arotary table Supported on bearings on the base,` a'ho1ddown bracketAbearing between the base and the table, a'lubricatng reservoir formedin the ta ble, an overow pin mounted in thesaid reservoir and providedwith a central lbore through which lubricant from the reservoir 15overflows to the said bearings, ports formed Y. in the table andextending from Ithe reservoir to the Said' bearings the said ports being`adapted to'convey 1u ricant from the reser- Y' Voir to the saidbearings with the aid of cen- 20 trifugal forcewhen the said table isrotated and means for rotating said table. 4 f

In testimony whereof I aix my signature. 1 JOHN D. SPALDING.

